This article is part of our NBA Barometer series.
RISERS
Jonas Valanciunas, C, TOR - Despite the standout guard combo of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry clearly spearheading the Raptors offense, Valanciunas has served as an essential third cog in Toronto's offensive wheel this season. He's rattled off double-digit scoring outings in all but one game, double-doubles in two of his last four games and has played more than 30 minutes in four of the last five. His numbers are up across the board in virtually every category, and he's been heating up over the last week in particular, averaging 16.3 points and 11.0 rebounds in his last four games.
Eric Bledsoe, G, PHO - Bledsoe is back on an upswing after a four-game sample earlier in November in which he scored in single digits three times. He's bounced back by averaging 23.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.5 steals over the last four games, while shooting 44.3 percent in that span and eclipsing the 20-point mark thrice. It's his best stretch of play this season, and given his pedigree and pivotal role in the Suns offense, it could be the start of an extended run of productive play.
Clint Capela, C, HOU - Capela is thriving in his first season as a full-time center, and has been the epitome of consistency. He's rattled off double-digit scoring performances in 10 of his last 11 games, with six double-doubles. His arrow has pointed even further upward the last week, as he's averaged 16.0 points, 9.0 rebounds
RISERS
Jonas Valanciunas, C, TOR - Despite the standout guard combo of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry clearly spearheading the Raptors offense, Valanciunas has served as an essential third cog in Toronto's offensive wheel this season. He's rattled off double-digit scoring outings in all but one game, double-doubles in two of his last four games and has played more than 30 minutes in four of the last five. His numbers are up across the board in virtually every category, and he's been heating up over the last week in particular, averaging 16.3 points and 11.0 rebounds in his last four games.
Eric Bledsoe, G, PHO - Bledsoe is back on an upswing after a four-game sample earlier in November in which he scored in single digits three times. He's bounced back by averaging 23.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.5 steals over the last four games, while shooting 44.3 percent in that span and eclipsing the 20-point mark thrice. It's his best stretch of play this season, and given his pedigree and pivotal role in the Suns offense, it could be the start of an extended run of productive play.
Clint Capela, C, HOU - Capela is thriving in his first season as a full-time center, and has been the epitome of consistency. He's rattled off double-digit scoring performances in 10 of his last 11 games, with six double-doubles. His arrow has pointed even further upward the last week, as he's averaged 16.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists, his best stretch of the season.
Ersan Ilyasova, F, PHI - Ilyasova moved into the starting lineup for the Sixers and has parlayed the opportunity into some solid fantasy production. He's put together seven consecutive double-digit scoring performances and has double-doubles in two of the last three games. His shooting has seen an impressive uptick the last four games in particular, as the floor-spacing Ilyasova has shot 56.4 percent from the floor with 14.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
Terrence Jones, F, NO - Despite primarily coming off the bench behind Anthony Davis, Jones has produced for fantasy owners, as he's still receiving a solid playing time. He's put together six double-digit scoring performances in the last seven games, averaging 14.3 points (on 48.8 percent shooting), 6.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 blocks in his last eight games. With Davis often putting in some time at center in place of the offensively limited Omer Asik, Jones is seeing plenty of time on the floor, averaging 24.8 minutes.
James Johnson, F, MIA - Johnson started to enjoy some regular playing time the last two weeks, averaging 26.8 minutes in the last eight games. He averaged 12.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists over that stretch, while generating stellar 57.6 and 50 percent tallies from the field and three-point range, respectively. He's seen some extended run due to Justise Winslow's absence with a wrist injury, but has also been effective coming off the bench behind Derrick Williams at the four. On a team that needs all the scoring it can get, Johnson's playing time appears secure.
INJURIES
Draymond Green, G, GS - Green suffered a left ankle injury in Friday's game against the Lakers when he came down awkwardly after contesting a shot. X-rays were negative, and Green reportedly plans to play against the Timberwolves on Saturday. David West would presumably be in line for a start should Green not take the floor, but his fantasy value would be decidedly limited.
Paul George, F, IND - George's back injury is expected to keep him out for at least the next three games, which will allow Glenn Robinson to continue receiving extended run. Robinson has turned in a pair of double-digit scoring performances in two of three previous starts in George's stead.
Marvin Williams, F, CHA - Williams suffered a hyperextended left knee in Friday's game against the Knicks and had to be helped to the locker room. Frank Kaminsky III and Spencer Hawes will see extra playing time if Williams is out. Kaminsky could particularly be in line for a boon in his already impressive recent production, as he's posted four straight double-digit performances.
D'Angelo Russell, G, LAL - Russell's knee problem will require platelet-rich plasma injections according to the latest report, which will leave him out for an additional two to three weeks. While veteran Jose Calderon will continue to start, his minutes will be capped, and Jordan Clarkson will instead be the primary beneficiary of Russell's absence. By extension, this should also afford Lou Williams an uptick in playing time off the bench.
Nick Young, G, LAL - Young's toe injury kept him out of the Lakers' game against the Warriors on Friday, and could possibly leave him sidelined for Sunday's matchup against the Hawks, as well. Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson will see an overall bump in their participation as long as Young is out.
C.J. Miles, F, IND - Miles has already been ruled out for a fourth straight game in advance of Sunday's matchup against the Clippers, which, when coupled with Paul George's back injury, has the Pacers down to Glenn Robinson at small forward, with Georges Niang serving as his backup.
Goran Dragic, G, MIA - Dragic missed Friday and Saturday's games with an elbow injury. Rodney McGruder saw the start in his stead Friday, playing 32 minutes, but Tyler Johnson was the biggest beneficiary, posting 22 points in 33 minutes off the bench.
Danilo Gallinari, F, DEN - Gallinari has missed two games with his thigh injury, but the Nuggets are prepared for his absence due to the presence of Wilson Chandler. If Gallinari is sidelined for Sunday's game against the Suns, Chandler will start again. The latter thrived in Friday's overtime loss to the Thunder, posting 32 points, 11 rebounds and four assists over 37 minutes.
T.J. Warren, F, PHO - Warren's head injury has him without a timetable for return, and he's already missed three games. Brandon Knight, and not P.J. Tucker, has started in his stead at small forward, though both have received significant playing time.
Justise Winslow, F, MIA - Winslow's wrist injury has sidelined him for six games, which has allowed second-year man Josh Richardson extended run as a starter. Richardson has four double-digit scoring efforts over that stretch, while James Johnson is also enjoying extra run.
FALLERS
Markieff Morris, F, WAS - Morris' role in the Wizards offense continues to fluctuate seemingly week to week, and he's taken a backseat more often than not the last four games. He's posted single-digit scoring in three of those games and six games overall. His 41.1 field-goal percentage is also his lowest in five seasons. While Morris figures to provide the occasional breakout performance, John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter take precedence in the Wizards' offense, leaving Morris in a decidedly less prominent role than he enjoyed in Phoenix.
Aaron Gordon, F, ORL - Gordon has struggled offensively at the small forward spot throughout the season and has single-digit scoring efforts in the last four games, as well as in six of his last nine. He's also shot just 35.5 percent over that aforementioned four-game stretch, and his season percentage (40.5) is almost seven points less than last season's 47.3 percent figure. Given his current level, his starting spot is far from guaranteed, as there's already precedent for him being supplanted by veteran Jeff Green on the first unit this season.
Marvin Williams, F, CHA - The struggling Williams is now also injured, suffering a hyperextended left knee Friday against the Knicks. He'd posted six and eight points, respectively, in two of the last six games, and even had a 25-minute scoreless outing against the Grizzlies in that span. That's left his scoring average at 8.7 points over the last seven games on an unsightly 31.7 percent from the field. Williams' shooting percentage (33.6) is almost 12 points lower overall this season, while his three-point percentage (34.1) has seen a six-point drop. Until he gets his offensive house in order, Williams' fantasy stock is significantly impacted.
J.R. Smith, G, CLE - Smith's shooting has hit the skids, with a trio of single-digit performances since returning from an ankle injury. He's shot just 33.3 percent from the floor in that span and is coming off a 1-of-11 tally from the field Friday against the Mavs. However, his struggles haven't just been limited to that small sample, as his scoring is down almost three points per game over last season, while his 33.7 percent rate from the field is almost eight points lower. Even his trademark three-point proficiency has suffered, as his 35.7 three-point percentage is his lowest since the 2012-13 season.
Arron Afflalo, G, SAC - Afflalo came to the Kings in the offseason with the hopes of improving the team's woeful backcourt defense, and he's helped in that regard. However, his offensive contributions have been muted, as his 9.2 points per game is nearly four points lower than the 12.8 figure he posted last season in New York. He's seen a notable drop in his rebound and assist numbers as well, and his success rate from three-point range (33.3 percent) is nearly five points lower than last season's 38.2 percent. He's also posted single-digit scoring totals in four of the last five games, and the Kings appear undecided between starting Afflalo or Ty Lawson at two-guard, clouding the former's fantasy prospects even further.
